Ratu

Unlike the other rhinos at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, Ratu (whose name means “queen”) was actually born around the year 2000 in Way Kambas National Park, the protected area where the sanctuary is located. On September 20, 2005, rangers received reports that a Sumatran rhino – Ratu – was spotted in Braja Asri village around 4:00 am.

Because it was dark, villagers mistook Ratu for a large pig at first and tried to kill her - luckily, she ran away and escaped harm. Her flight took her even farther away from the protected area, however, and so the head of Way Kambas National Park dispatched a team of rangers, keepers and veterinarians to find and protect Ratu, and to guide her safely back to the park. Although the team originally planned to drive Ratu back on foot, this proved too difficult and stressful for the rhino. Eventually, she was guided into a transport crate and driven via truck back to Way Kambas. Because she suffered significant stress from the capture, rather than release Ratu fully back into the wild and put her at further risk, park officials decided to place her at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS). Ratu is somewhat notorious for being difficult – at least as far as rhinoceroses go! Ratu is the hardest SRS rhino to collect blood from, but is much more easygoing when she’s with her two favorite keepers, Rois and Lamijo. Because she presumably had some experience with male rhinos while living in the wild, Ratu was chosen to be the primary breeding female with the sanctuary’s young male, Andalas. Following a March 2011 mating with Andalas, it was confirmed that Ratu was pregnant. On June 23, 2012, her calf was born - a healthy 60-pound male, Andatu, meaning “gift from God.” In early 2015, Ratu again bred with Andalas. On May 12th, 2016, a 45-pound, healthy female calf, Delilah, was born.